Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Guide - Hire or get hired
Your complete guide to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Role: Duties, salary & hiring tips
Purpose of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
The CFO leads the organisation’s overall financial strategy, planning, and risk management. The role is responsible for ensuring financial sustainability, governance, and strategic alignment with business goals.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)'s duties and responsibilities
• Strategic Leadership:
Develop and implement long-term financial strategies to support business growth.
• Financial Oversight:
Oversee financial reporting, compliance, and risk management across the organisation.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
Liaise with board members, executives, investors, and regulators.
• Capital & Treasury Management:
Manage funding, capital structure, and investment strategy.
• Team Leadership:
Lead the finance, accounting, and commercial teams, fostering high performance.
Develop and implement long-term financial strategies to support business growth.
• Financial Oversight:
Oversee financial reporting, compliance, and risk management across the organisation.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
Liaise with board members, executives, investors, and regulators.
• Capital & Treasury Management:
Manage funding, capital structure, and investment strategy.
• Team Leadership:
Lead the finance, accounting, and commercial teams, fostering high performance.
Requirements and qualifications for a Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
• CA/CPA qualified
• 10+ years’ experience in senior financial leadership roles
• Proven ability to drive financial strategy and transformation
• Board-level communication and stakeholder engagement
• Strong commercial and governance expertise
• 10+ years’ experience in senior financial leadership roles
• Proven ability to drive financial strategy and transformation
• Board-level communication and stakeholder engagement
• Strong commercial and governance expertise
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2024 was a challenging year for businesses across all sectors, leading to a slowdown in recruitment. As we move into 2025, while the market has slowed, job seekers remain open to new opportunities if salaries and workplace conditions meet expectations. Employers must move quickly and offer compelling value beyond compensation.
Qualified accountants remained the hardest to hire in 2024, with 40% of businesses citing them as the most difficult to fill, followed by transactional finance (17%) and payroll roles (14%). In-demand roles such as finance managers, systems accountants, and specialists in data analytics and sustainability reporting indicate a shift in workforce priorities.
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86% of businesses preferred maintaining in-house teams for better communication, control, and compliance, and while many employers relied on internal hiring teams, 54% sought external recruitment support within a month, highlighting the ongoing value of recruitment agencies in securing top talent.
Qualified accountants remained the hardest to hire in 2024, with 40% of businesses citing them as the most difficult to fill, followed by transactional finance (17%) and payroll roles (14%). In-demand roles such as finance managers, systems accountants, and specialists in data analytics and sustainability reporting indicate a shift in workforce priorities.
To remain competitive in 2025, 75% of organisations will focus on automation and system improvements, with additional emphasis on upskilling (45%), cash flow management (37%), and compliance (33%). Many businesses are investing in professional development, including certifications, workshops, and AI skill training, to enhance their teams and adapt to new technologies.
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